Diaries from the Vimaranes
Archive 1- Nuno Mendes Vimaranes
Duke Nuno I of Portucale
Welcome to my first ever AAR, the Diaries from the Vimaranes! I have no experience in AARs, so any tips or advice would be greatly appreciated! I'm not sure of the entry frequency for this AAR, but I will have one chapter for each character, barring any 1 year old rulers who live to be 90. Thank you for humoring me in this little "project".
After the Muslim conquest of Hispania, the first steps in what has become known as the Christian Reconquista, was begun by bands led by Pelayo. Amid several steps back and forward, the Christian kingdoms of Asturias, and later León, Navarre, Aragon, Galicia andCastile managed to increasingly control larger parts of the peninsula, starting from the north.
The Kingdom of Asturias was established in 718 and lasted until 925. During some of this time, it ruled over territory that extended as far south as today's northern northern Portugal, as part of Galicia. In what is today's Portuguese territory, the lands between the riversMinho. the Reconquista. Alfonso II of Asturias expanded the Kingdom, and sents parties deep into Moorish controlled territory, sacking Lisbon in 798. The Moors recovered from the raid and retained hold of Lisbon until 1147. The Moors pushed back and soon recovered most of the territory they had briefly lost, except for what is now northern Portugal.
The Reconquista of Portucale (Porto) by count Vímara Peres occurred in 868, which is the traditional beginning of the county of Portugal, a county of the Kingdom of Galicia, which was a vassal kingdom of the Kingdom of Asturias. Further south, another border county was formed when more land was conquered from the moors: the County of Coimbra led by Hermenegildo Guterres, that would later be reconquered by the Moors. During this period, the two counties would suffer multiple attacks, but would also expand.Ferdinand I of León and Castile conquered Lamego in 1057, Viseu in 1058 and, finally, Coimbra in 1064.
Six years later, Nuno Mendes Vimaranes had become Duke of Portucale. He had already completed his education, becoming an underhanded rogue. In school, his most adept subjects were diplomacy, stewardship, and intrigue. Throughout his early adult life he had been known for his chastity, paranoia, and cynicism. Lacking a son, the heir to the duchy of Portcuale was Nuno’s daughter, Loba. However, she had already started a family, with children not considered part of the Vimaranes dynasty…
Archive 1- Nuno Mendes Vimaranes
Duke Nuno I of Portucale
Welcome to my first ever AAR, the Diaries from the Vimaranes! I have no experience in AARs, so any tips or advice would be greatly appreciated! I'm not sure of the entry frequency for this AAR, but I will have one chapter for each character, barring any 1 year old rulers who live to be 90. Thank you for humoring me in this little "project".
After the Muslim conquest of Hispania, the first steps in what has become known as the Christian Reconquista, was begun by bands led by Pelayo. Amid several steps back and forward, the Christian kingdoms of Asturias, and later León, Navarre, Aragon, Galicia andCastile managed to increasingly control larger parts of the peninsula, starting from the north.
The Kingdom of Asturias was established in 718 and lasted until 925. During some of this time, it ruled over territory that extended as far south as today's northern northern Portugal, as part of Galicia. In what is today's Portuguese territory, the lands between the riversMinho. the Reconquista. Alfonso II of Asturias expanded the Kingdom, and sents parties deep into Moorish controlled territory, sacking Lisbon in 798. The Moors recovered from the raid and retained hold of Lisbon until 1147. The Moors pushed back and soon recovered most of the territory they had briefly lost, except for what is now northern Portugal.
The Reconquista of Portucale (Porto) by count Vímara Peres occurred in 868, which is the traditional beginning of the county of Portugal, a county of the Kingdom of Galicia, which was a vassal kingdom of the Kingdom of Asturias. Further south, another border county was formed when more land was conquered from the moors: the County of Coimbra led by Hermenegildo Guterres, that would later be reconquered by the Moors. During this period, the two counties would suffer multiple attacks, but would also expand.Ferdinand I of León and Castile conquered Lamego in 1057, Viseu in 1058 and, finally, Coimbra in 1064.
Six years later, Nuno Mendes Vimaranes had become Duke of Portucale. He had already completed his education, becoming an underhanded rogue. In school, his most adept subjects were diplomacy, stewardship, and intrigue. Throughout his early adult life he had been known for his chastity, paranoia, and cynicism. Lacking a son, the heir to the duchy of Portcuale was Nuno’s daughter, Loba. However, she had already started a family, with children not considered part of the Vimaranes dynasty…
November, 1066
Although life has been moving by slowly for me, there are always warring factions in Spain. Princess Urraca of León, Countess of Zamora, has risen against her brother, the King of León. She thinks that she would better rule the kingdom. My liege, King Garcia of Galicia, has allied himself with the princess. Not only is the outcome of the war unpredictable, but so is the political consequences of either side winning. Recently, I have found myself becoming more and more modest, both abroad and in my court. My wife does not approve of this newfound humility, however the Church does.
The Duke of Portucale,
Nuno Mendes Vimaranes
October, 1068
The Muslims in Evora have declared their independence from the Emirate of Badajoz. Seeking more land, I have declared war on the rebels, hoping to allow the Muslims to fight each other, allowing me to step in and profit. However, the Emirate of Badajoz put down the rebellion, inconclusively ending my war. Disappointed, but still eager to fight, I declared war on the Emirate of Granada. My troops are levied, catapults built, and ships set for sail. Although I am confident my armies can confront Granada, I have recently heard that the Sultan of Africa is coming to the Emir’s aid, which worries me. I can handle a small duchy, but not a large kingdom that has enough money for mercenaries. As our ships prepare to land in Granada, God only knows how this campaign will end.
The Duke of Portucale,
Nuno Mendes Vimaranes
March, 1069
Our armies landed safely on the beachheads of southern Granada. However, they were intercepted by the large African army that had also landed. Severely outnumbered, we faced a humiliating defeat at the Battle of Benalmádena. Not only was well more than half our army destroyed on the battlefield, but my husband Duke Nuno was critically injured. Deeming him incapable for the throne, the council has appointed me as his regent. Now I am the one who must lead our duchy through this grim war. The Muslim armies will most surely be arriving on our doorstep any day now, and we have no army to defend with.
The Duchess of Portucale,
Goçinha
April, 1069
I had no other choice than to surrender to the Emir of Granada, lest his army invaded our lands. However, Murcia seems ripe for the taking, and third time’s the charm, right? Although many view my husband as incapable to rule, his is quite capable in other aspects. I am pregnant, and I hope for a son in order to secure the line of succession. As things currently stand, our daughter is the next in line, and then her children, who are not of our dynasty. If my husband could just hold out for a few more months, this crisis would be resolved.
The Duchess of Portucale,
Goçinha
On October 23rd, 1069, Duke Nuno I of Portucale died. Although at the time of his death family members suspected witchcraft, recently discovered medical records suggest his death was a result of his critical head injury received during the Portucalese Holy War for Granada during 1068-69. Without a male heir, his title passed down to his daughter, Loba Nunes Vimaranes. A map has been found of the Iberian peninsula around the time of his death.
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